My first track of 2010

[Tathrim]

Hey all, it's been a while since I've tried to design a track, as I've not thought that the designs I drew were sufficient (I hand-draw a blot-shape as a basis for SketchUp), and I also have just finished a load of exams.

The Facility started up in the late 1970's for racing due to the presence of old real estate that local drivers wanted to use to get back in to motor racing after the closure of other facilities in the area. The circuit was flowing, but there were a few problems. Firstly, thee wasn't enough room for larger races in the small garage that the facilities had, and the run-off wasn't large enough for the corners, as it was only 10 metres from side to side

To compensate, an expansion was developed in the 1990s, with run-off increasing to 30m across the track, and a larger paddock was introduced to compensate larger club races and international events.

Images are pretty self explanatory for the layout. SketchUp file is attached as a .zip file

CC welcome as always.

Regards,

Tathrim

[tlongman]

It looks good from what I can see but how about a picture of the whole track?

[Tathrim]

oops, my bad. thought it had uploaded.

here you go.

Regards,

Tathrim

EDIT: Also, those who see the sketchup model: please note the track is to a full scale.

[LuiggiSpeed]

AWESOME TRACK!

you just set the tone for the year men with this effort, I'd say if there's such thing as the perfect track, I don't think it would look too different!

the pit lanes for both circuit are textbook stuff,I also like the distribution of turns and how organic it is, of course I would race it in my bike!

[Tathrim]

I have to admit that the old pits were difficult to get right. I'd initially extended the entrance to address speed concerns along the old S/F straight, but then felt that there was enough room for me to get away with the shorter entrance. I'm glad you like it.

As for your bike comment, I'm glad that it's worked. However, I believe that it may be a problem to race the bike on a multi-apex corner. That said I'm not so knowledgeable about how a bike handles.

[Tathrim]

Anyone else want to comment? Yannick? SBF? bio? you out there? I'm scaaaaarred!!!

[LuiggiSpeed]

Originally Posted by Tathrim

I believe that it may be a problem to race the bike on a multi-apex corner. That said I'm not so knowledgeable about how a bike handles.

Oh not at all!
In fact,multi apex are the ones that separate the men from the boys,it's very hard to get a multiapex right, specially on long sweepers,where you stay lean a lot,you have to keep your focus on the right markers or else you can get lost, I agree a little bit.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Sorry work getting in the way of life again...yet more training to be even more multi-skilled.

I'll say that I haven't had time to access the Sketch up file, but based on the captures...

The concept works given the background note, I used something similar for my first circuit of the year as well.

The layout works with enough separation between the two halves not to have any real issues if used concurrently. Do you have circuit lengths to hand?

I'm not sure about having a uniform width between the barriers, and I have to say a huge width at that. I know that you haven't put in gravel traps, but perhaps narrowing and widening of the grass either side of the track would add something to certain corners.
I mentioned gravel traps, had you considered putting gravel traps in?

[Tathrim]

I have, but exams came back to haunt me, so I haven't had the chance. I'll edit them as soon as I have time again (as I now have physics coursework every night after school). I don't have the exact value, but the track is around 6km, the larger S/F straight is 655m and the run from T8 to T11 is around 800m.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

With your permission, as you've posted the Sketchup file, I'd like to edit, not the circuit but the surrounds, to include gravel traps etc.
If you do the same, I think it could be interesting to see two different versions of the same circuit layout.

One last thing, I'm assuming it's clockwise from the main pit entry/exit ?

[Tathrim]

Yep, clockwise for both circuits.

And sure, I have the time, it'll be interesting to see.

[Tathrim]

Right, gravel's done with mine. May be a bit OTT, but we'll see what SBF does.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Finally had time to do this...I'm finding version 7 of sketch-up to be difficult...more of which in the tutorial thread.

Not too many differences, mainly that I've stayed within the original confines of the barriers.

[Purist]

I kind of like each of the two loops by themselves, but something just doesn't click for me when you stick them together.